CBD vs. THC - What's the Big Difference?

We probably get asked this question at least once a day. That, and, “Will CBD get me high?”, which is something we will address in just a little bit.

The truth is, chemically, there is barely a difference between CBD and THC.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two primary cannabinoids that naturally occur within the cannabis (Cannabis sativa) plant. These two compounds are virtually the same in their chemical makeup. They each have the same amount of carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms. There’s just one slight difference...

Here’s the chemical structure of CBD…

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

And the chemical structure of THC…

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Can you see it? Yeah, we didn’t do so well in chemistry either… BUT it’s pretty obvious that there’s a slight difference in the structure of the atoms that you see above. And just in case you really weren’t paying attention in chemistry, atoms are “the smallest particle of an element” and are represented by those hexagons you see in the above skeletal formula.

And that, my friend, is what it comes down to - a difference in the arrangement of a single atom. Just ONE atom! Now, while you’d think that a single atom in a compound that is virtually identical to another compound wouldn’t create that much of a difference, believe us, it does!

Before we move any further, let’s talk a little bit about what exactly cannabinoids are.

Cannabinoids

By definition, a cannabinoid is “any of various naturally-occurring, biologically active, chemical constituents of hemp or cannabis including some that possess psychoactive properties.”

There are over 80 identified cannabinoids in the cannabis plant with THC and CBD being the most well-known and understood. When cannabinoids enter the body via smoking or consumption, they work directly with your endocannabinoid system (ECS) and interact with the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) found throughout your body. Confused? Don’t worry, we will discuss the ECS more in-depth in a later post.

Now here’s where that one tiny atom comes into play…

“Will CBD Get Me High?”

Because CBD and THC technically have different chemical structures, the way they interact with your cannabinoid receptors differs. While THC reacts strongly to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD is like, “Eh, I’ll play from the sidelines,” and stimulates both receptors indirectly. When THC binds to the CB1 receptors in your body, it activates your brain’s reward system, which is what gets you “high”.

CBD doesn’t do that; it isn’t a psychoactive substance like its THC counterpart. So to answer your question, no, CBD will not get you high. However, that doesn’t mean that its benefits are any less significant!

Benefits of CBD

While CBD studies have recently seemed to have popped out of the woodwork, it’s because the amazing benefits of this substance are now being fully understood. Scientific research shows that CBD can relieve pain, reduce anxiety, aid in digestion, relieve epilepsy, and so much more! There are numerous benefits of CBD, but again, that is a topic for another post.

CBD - The Obvious Choice!

THC and CBD work wonders in the body, but due to its healing properties with a lack of psychoactive effects, CBD is often times preferred by individuals. Here at District Hemp, we totally get that, which is why we offer a wide array of products for that individual who wants to “feel good” without feeling intoxicated.